On our October cover CD, we present a collection of modern British masterworks commissioned by BBC Radio 3. The disc includes recordings of music by Jonathan Harvey, Malcolm Arnold, Judith Weir and Colin Matthews, as well as two works by recent winners of the BBC Inspire competition, both aged 17.
We spoke to Judith Weir about her featured pieces, collaborating with BBC ensembles and why she thinks commissions are so important for composers.

On behalf of his Pacifica colleagues, violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson told us in the news release: “We are so very proud of Simin and wish her nothing but the best on her new adventure. As we say farewell to Simin, we look forward with much excitement to the next leg on our musical journey.”

On behalf of herself, Simin Ganatra said: “The decision to leave was not an easy one, but after 22 years with the ensemble, I feel ready to explore other musical opportunities. I will excitedly watch as my colleagues continue to grow artistically and further develop this remarkable ensemble into the quartet of the future.”

Why is there such disparity between Making Waves and the paltry number of women represented in concert programs and commissions? Harriet Langley, in Gender Discrimination in the Classical World (2013) attributes rampant discrimination in the classical world to a reluctance to let go of tradition.

New music is important because it’s written here and now. In the last decade, the number of women studying and working in classical music has risen steadily. Yet bias remains, particularly in composition and conducting. Russian conductor Yuri Temirkanov came under fire in 2013 for saying,